Kantian Thinking About Military Ethics

Ficarrotta (US Air Force Academy) does not ask what Immanuel would do, but just alerts readers that his essays on military ethics tend to be inspired by German philosopher Kant (1724-1804). Published or delivered over the past 15 years, the eight essays ponder whether military professionals are bound be a higher moral standard, women in combat, why careerism in the military is wrong and what to do about it, a case for abandoning the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on homosexuality, how to teach a bad military ethics course, a case for selective conscientious objection by members of the military over immoral wars, whether the doctrine of double effect justifies collateral damage, and just war theory. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Dr J. Carl Ficarrotta, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, USA